mikey
Active member
- 759
- 39
- 28
- Location
- Lake Como, PA
Yesterday I recovered my M1101 from Ft Drum, NY. I spent about four hours reading the forums leading up to my trip. I found a lot of useful info and a lot of "can I recover my trailer with a <insert vehicle>" threads. Gathering info from multiple threads, my recovery was a success. I hope that this write up will provide useful info in a single post for members contemplating a similar recovery.
Recovery:
Ft. Drum, NY to Lake Como, PA, 203 miles, 3hrs 17 minutes.
Recovery vehicle:
2010 Ford F150 Lariat (5.4L 3V Triton V-8 @ 320HP) with towing package (Tow haul button, class V hitch, suspension stabilization, engine braking)
Recovered trailer:
2007 M1101
Key facts:
Weight 1460lbs
Lunette height 29.5"
http://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_ltt-hmt_trailer_m1101_m1102.php
Accessories:
Pintle hook:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_21912_21912
12" riser:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200442409_200442409
Grade 8 bolts and nuts (Lowes part #'s 880271 and 880200
Tow lights:
http://www.amazon.com/Install-Magne...1391102137&sr=8-9&keywords=trailer+tow+lights
DOT reflective tape:
The DOT tape did not arrive in time. However, I list it here because I use it on my other trucks and it is a must in my opinion. It provides GREAT visibility.
*** removed link***
Fort Drum:
Gate personal were extremely friendly and easy to work with. After entering the main gate, the GL lot is almost exactly 1 mile down the main road on the left. You'll see a brown fence and it's building number 1301. The GL staff was wonderful. The woman was very nice and walked out to my trailer with me. The bucket operator removed all the snow around my trailer and angled it perfectly for me to back up to it. They were standing by while I hooked it up and assisted me in testing the lights and brakes. When I first arrived they also gave me advice on "freeing" the trailer. Apparently all trailer jacks were covered in up to 5 inches of ice. They broke a few jacks trying to move trailers with the fork lift. The advice was to hook up to the trailer and rock the truck forward and back gently. Luckily my trailer was not frozen to the ground.
Overall a great experience.
The weather:
The weather did not want to cooperate. However, of my three recoveries to date, Mechanicsburgh, New Castle and Ft Drum, I've never had a recovery that did not involve snow or a torrential downpour, so this was par for the course. Weather was 7f, -15 with windchill. Wind was about 10mph steady with gusts up to 30mph. It was a blizzard and snow was blowing sideways.
The recovery:
I hooked up the trailer, installed the tow lights and tested the brakes. I planned on removing the top, but chose not to. Forgive me for being a nancy, but all the straps and even the top itself were frozen with ice. Not to mention you had a limited amount of time to be exposed before you lost feeling in your extremities.
Important Tip: The safety chains DID NOT reach my truck!
We tested the surge brakes. They did not work. I chose to continue regardless. Our first stop was only miles away. We went to Home Depot to resolve the safety chain issue. I purchased 1' of 5k lb chain and two 5k lb quick links. I ran the chain through my hitch assembly with one quick link at each end. Pictures below.
At our first stop, we tested the lights and I inspected the pintle again. Left lights did not work, brake or signal. An inspection of the line revealed a kink. Back into Home depot for wire stripper, twist connectors and electrical tape. 20 minutes later (sub zero temp with snow blown wind) I go to plug in the lights to my truck and all 4 cables brake at the 4 pin connector! WTF? Back into home depot to buy a new 4 pin connector. 10 minutes later, that's repaired and another kink in another wire that was not there. The wire was very cheap and was breaking at the slightest pressure due to the cold. For the record, the wire on the new 4 pin connector was thicker and did NOT have issues. End result, I absolutely would NOT recommend this trailer light kit. Yes it was cheap and you get what you pay for. However, ALL the negative reviews pointed towards weak magnets, which was not a concern because the trailer is aluminum. No reviews mentioned inferior wiring. You get what you pay for though, right?
The first 45 minutes of the trip was a blizzard. Side winds on 81 were gusting very heavily. I had both hands on the wheel, music off and was focused. The trailer felt awkward in the wind and snow, although I did maintain 55mph.
Nearly an hour into the trip I hit dry roads. After a coffee break and inspection, everything was fine. I then proceeded to head home at a steady 65mph. From that point on the trailer was perfect! It trailed perfectly and for the most part, I could not tell it was there. It felt no more noticeable than my $500 8x4 lowes trailer with my ATV (500lbs). You knew it was there, but could not feel much at all.
The remainder of the recovery was incident free with several stops for inspection along the way.
Conclusion and summary:
I knew from reading threads, that i COULD tow the trailer home with my F150. I did NOT know it would trail so nicely. I bought the pintle thinking it was a one time purchase. I have no fear of taking this trailer any distance with my F150. It trailed fine and was barely noticeable, even with the cover on. With the brakes fixed, I'll take this trailer anywhere with the F150.
The night before my recovery I read the thread with the back and forth about the safety of the 12" riser. I feared I made a terrible mistake and thought about not using it. While I am no structural engineer and while I've only used it once, I have absolutely no fear whatsoever of this device. I reserve the right to alter this opinion with more mileage, but as of right now, when used on paved roads, within the limits of the riser, and with periodic inspections, I do not see any issue whatsoever.
Not only did my F150 recover the M1101. It did so with ease. This is an excellent trailer, it tracks well and it's very light compared to others.
I hope this info may help others wondering about recovering a similar trailer with a similar vehicle.
Mikey
y
Recovery:
Ft. Drum, NY to Lake Como, PA, 203 miles, 3hrs 17 minutes.
Recovery vehicle:
2010 Ford F150 Lariat (5.4L 3V Triton V-8 @ 320HP) with towing package (Tow haul button, class V hitch, suspension stabilization, engine braking)
Recovered trailer:
2007 M1101
Key facts:
Weight 1460lbs
Lunette height 29.5"
http://olive-drab.com/idphoto/id_photos_ltt-hmt_trailer_m1101_m1102.php
Accessories:
Pintle hook:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_21912_21912
12" riser:
http://www.northerntool.com/shop/tools/product_200442409_200442409
Grade 8 bolts and nuts (Lowes part #'s 880271 and 880200
Tow lights:
http://www.amazon.com/Install-Magne...1391102137&sr=8-9&keywords=trailer+tow+lights
DOT reflective tape:
The DOT tape did not arrive in time. However, I list it here because I use it on my other trucks and it is a must in my opinion. It provides GREAT visibility.
*** removed link***
Fort Drum:
Gate personal were extremely friendly and easy to work with. After entering the main gate, the GL lot is almost exactly 1 mile down the main road on the left. You'll see a brown fence and it's building number 1301. The GL staff was wonderful. The woman was very nice and walked out to my trailer with me. The bucket operator removed all the snow around my trailer and angled it perfectly for me to back up to it. They were standing by while I hooked it up and assisted me in testing the lights and brakes. When I first arrived they also gave me advice on "freeing" the trailer. Apparently all trailer jacks were covered in up to 5 inches of ice. They broke a few jacks trying to move trailers with the fork lift. The advice was to hook up to the trailer and rock the truck forward and back gently. Luckily my trailer was not frozen to the ground.
Overall a great experience.The weather:
The weather did not want to cooperate. However, of my three recoveries to date, Mechanicsburgh, New Castle and Ft Drum, I've never had a recovery that did not involve snow or a torrential downpour, so this was par for the course. Weather was 7f, -15 with windchill. Wind was about 10mph steady with gusts up to 30mph. It was a blizzard and snow was blowing sideways.
The recovery:
I hooked up the trailer, installed the tow lights and tested the brakes. I planned on removing the top, but chose not to. Forgive me for being a nancy, but all the straps and even the top itself were frozen with ice. Not to mention you had a limited amount of time to be exposed before you lost feeling in your extremities.
Important Tip: The safety chains DID NOT reach my truck!
We tested the surge brakes. They did not work. I chose to continue regardless. Our first stop was only miles away. We went to Home Depot to resolve the safety chain issue. I purchased 1' of 5k lb chain and two 5k lb quick links. I ran the chain through my hitch assembly with one quick link at each end. Pictures below.
At our first stop, we tested the lights and I inspected the pintle again. Left lights did not work, brake or signal. An inspection of the line revealed a kink. Back into Home depot for wire stripper, twist connectors and electrical tape. 20 minutes later (sub zero temp with snow blown wind) I go to plug in the lights to my truck and all 4 cables brake at the 4 pin connector! WTF? Back into home depot to buy a new 4 pin connector. 10 minutes later, that's repaired and another kink in another wire that was not there. The wire was very cheap and was breaking at the slightest pressure due to the cold. For the record, the wire on the new 4 pin connector was thicker and did NOT have issues. End result, I absolutely would NOT recommend this trailer light kit. Yes it was cheap and you get what you pay for. However, ALL the negative reviews pointed towards weak magnets, which was not a concern because the trailer is aluminum. No reviews mentioned inferior wiring. You get what you pay for though, right?
The first 45 minutes of the trip was a blizzard. Side winds on 81 were gusting very heavily. I had both hands on the wheel, music off and was focused. The trailer felt awkward in the wind and snow, although I did maintain 55mph.
Nearly an hour into the trip I hit dry roads. After a coffee break and inspection, everything was fine. I then proceeded to head home at a steady 65mph. From that point on the trailer was perfect! It trailed perfectly and for the most part, I could not tell it was there. It felt no more noticeable than my $500 8x4 lowes trailer with my ATV (500lbs). You knew it was there, but could not feel much at all.
The remainder of the recovery was incident free with several stops for inspection along the way.
Conclusion and summary:
I knew from reading threads, that i COULD tow the trailer home with my F150. I did NOT know it would trail so nicely. I bought the pintle thinking it was a one time purchase. I have no fear of taking this trailer any distance with my F150. It trailed fine and was barely noticeable, even with the cover on. With the brakes fixed, I'll take this trailer anywhere with the F150.
The night before my recovery I read the thread with the back and forth about the safety of the 12" riser. I feared I made a terrible mistake and thought about not using it. While I am no structural engineer and while I've only used it once, I have absolutely no fear whatsoever of this device. I reserve the right to alter this opinion with more mileage, but as of right now, when used on paved roads, within the limits of the riser, and with periodic inspections, I do not see any issue whatsoever.
Not only did my F150 recover the M1101. It did so with ease. This is an excellent trailer, it tracks well and it's very light compared to others.
I hope this info may help others wondering about recovering a similar trailer with a similar vehicle.
Mikey
y
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